Removable heat unit for table top stoves



April 10, 1951 A. K. WALTON ETAL 2,548,183

REMOVABLE HEAT UNIT FOR TABLE TQP STOVES Filed Dec. 3, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ARTHUR K. WALTON TRUMAN H. CLJNE ATTORNEYS April 10, 1951 WALTON ETAL 2,548,183

REMOVABLE HEAT UNIT FOR TABLE TOP STOVES Filed D90. 3, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y EE E EELELK FIG. 4

INVENTORS ARTHUR K. WALTON TRUMAN H. CLINE M 1m ATTORNEYS April 1951 A. K. WALTON ET AL 2,548,183

REMOVABLE HEAT UNIT FOR TABLE TOP STOVES Filed Dec. 5, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 iNVENTORS ARTHUR K. WALTON TRUMAN H. CLINE 5" ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 10, 1951 REMOVABLE HEAT UNIT FOR/TABLE TOP STOVES Arthur K. Walton and Truman H. Cline, Newark, Ohio, assignors to Newark Stove Company, Newark, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 3, 1945, Serial No. 632,430

8 Claims.

The present inventionrelatesto kitchen oven apparatus and is concerned more particularly with electric heating units therefor and improved mechanisms for attaching or securing the same in table top surfaces.

Electric kitchen stoves are provided with a plurality of spaced or grouped surface heating units, which may be used singly or combinedly in the preparation of food and which, as in the case of other kitchen apparatus, must be provided withfeatures of removability in order to afford access for periodic cleaning as well as for replacement purposes in the event of wear or damage.

In the case of electric surface heating units, such contemplation poses particular problems not inherently presented or a part of other types of heating apparatus, for example, gas. The various types of electric heating units require electrical connection with a power source so that removability entails manipulation of power supply cables. Also, because of the safeguards customarily provided, manipulation must take into consideration the disposition of safeguard apparatus. Provisions are also made for preventing spilling or overflowing of foodstuffs from collecting in a hazardous manner or from dropping into inaccessible recesses. These overflow catching devices, being attached to the unit, require to be designed in a manner which will render them equally disposable with the unit during the operation of removal.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is the provision of an electric surface heating unit apparatus which combines with the. features of removability and mobility the provision of all conventional advantages, of esthetic as well as commercial attractiveness, and safety cautions.

Further objects of the present invention are such as may be noted during the course of the ensuing detailed specification, as well as those which areillustrated in the annexed drawings that form part of the disclosure heref For a more comprehensive understanding of the structural embodiments which constitute an assembly of certain features of the present invention, reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings and to the following detailed specification in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fragment of a kitchen stove table top illustrating an exemplary manner in which heating unit apparatus. embodying the present invention may be incorporated;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the electric heating units embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view with parts broken away, showing a nether structure of one of the heating units and featuring the details which pertain to the drip pan construction;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view similar to the illustration in Fig. 3 but showing the heating unit in swung-open position, with the protector ring removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view through the pivot hinge bracket and allied structure;

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the hinge spring-on bracket, which affords total removability of the apparatus; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary detail sectional views through the pivot and hinge bracket featuring modified forms of deformation and shaping of the table top.

Referring now more particularly to the features of construction, and calling attention to the showing best observed in Figures 2 and 3, the reference character I I will be noted to designate the table top surface or plate which forms the principal supporting structure for the various units of a kitchen range. This plate is provided with a number of circular openings I2 in correspondence with the number of heating units for which any stove is designed. Each opening I2 is proportioned so as to accommodate the heating unit and its supporting structure and is defined by a downwardly projecting flange I3 of limited and predetermined depth and at a certain tangency tothe flange I3 the table top or plate I I is provid ed with a deformation of limited extent as designated at I4, Figs. 3 and 5, to receive in partial submergence the hinge elements I5 and I5, see also Fig. '7 of the pair of bracket members, one of which is designated I8 and the other I9.

The bracket I8 may be made of a single piece of sheet metal curved slightly lengthwise thereof, so that the pair of its hooked extremities 2i, which are formed with and constitute continuations of its side members 22, may conform to the radii of the circular opening I2. The uppermost terminal extremities of the side mem bers 22 are bent laterally and thence around over to form the hinge elements I5, which house or support the pivot pin 23. Intermediate the elements I5 is a space for accommodating the pivot element I 6 of the hinge bracket I9. The hinge bracket [8 is applied to the table top flange I3 in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 6; that is to say, by engaging its under-bent hook portion 2| around the extremity of flange l3 and springing the hinge elements over the hump curvature 24, which immediately precedes the recess curvature l4 of the table top I.

As may be observed from the illustration in Fig. 1, the location of the hinge brackets on several surface heaters of a stove is preferably at variance so that these heaters will not conflict with each other when they are swung out into erect position for accessibility as diu'ing cleaning.

When the heating unit is disposed in its horizontal position bracket I9 is swung to its extreme clockwise, Fig. 3, position, whereupon the hinge element It abuts closely its cooperating hinge element 18 and the long section of hinge element I9 extends downwardly in a vertical direction. Member l9 may be re-enforced with a rib formation as at and preferably affords an arm 26 to which is secured as by welding, Figs. 2 and 3, to the transverse or T-head 21 of a bridging bracket 28 as well as to the curved drip pan supporting bracket 29, one of which elements is placed at one side of the arm 26 and the other at its opposite surface. The bridging bracket 28 is secured as by welding at 3| to one section 32 of a triangular arrangement of bracket elements, which combinedly form a three-legged spider,

Fig. 2, that may be assembled from a. composition of three similar components secured together by welding or riveting and affording at their respective terminals support to three hanging brackets 33, Figs. 3 and 5. The spider elements 32 are preferably of substantial width and at their extremities have the integral side lugs 34 to which the hanging brackets 33 are secured.

The upper edges of the spider assembly are disposed on a horizontal plane which constitutes lateral support to a system of burner heating ele ments 35 and 36, in the instant embodiment of the so-called rod type. The terminals of the heating elements 35 and 36 are perfectly arranged so as to be disposed in a horizontal alignment beneath the general location of the pivot bracket as best observed in Figs. 2 and 3. The heating elements 35 and 38 are, moreover, substantiall rigid and curving downwardly and outwardly, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 5, and at 31 and 38 extend into and afford support to an insulated terminal blo 1: 39. The terminal block 35 receives the heating element rod units in an alignment entering at one of its ends and at its opposite end (see'also Fig. 4) there enter three current supply wires 4| in a manner well known in this type of apparatus. In order to prevent the rod units 35 and 36 from being removed from the spider 32, which supports the assembly, an additional bracket member 42 is provided, as best indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, secured as by welding to one leg of the spider extremity and formed so as to embrace the extreme convolutions designated 42 and 45, Fig. 3, in frictionally engaging manner so as to require an extraordinary force when it is to be desired to effect separation thereat.

The several hanging brackets 33, three in the instant embodiment, which are secured to the lug elements 3 of the supporting spider 32, rest their uppermost extremities over the edges which define the several openings l2, and in order to cover the space which intervenes there is provided an annular adaptor ring 45, whose top surface 41 tapers outwardly and downwardly slightly, as best seen in Fig. 3, and is provided with an outer flange 48, which surrounds and conceals not only the intervening space but the supporting elements 33 and an inner flange 49, which surrounds the outermost convolution 45 of the rod unit 36. This ring member 46 is removed before swinging the heating unit assembly from its position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, to that illustrated in Fig. 5, as when seeking accessibility to the nether regions, usually a space for catching overflow and drippings that pass through the heating unit openings [2,

As a further safeguard and to prevent overflow of hot liquids directly into the catch basin chamber, each heating unit is provided with a drip pan or receptacle 5|, intended to function as a primary barrier for dissipating heat but provided, nevertheless, with an opening 52 so that ultimately dischargeable matter may pass into the nether-most space for accumulation. The drip pans 5| are perfectly tailored, as best indicated in Fig. 4, with a cutaway portion as at 53 so as to assure ample clearance and non-interference with the rod unit terminals at the point whereat they enter the junction block 39. The drip pan supporting bracket 29 mentioned above is preferably made of generous width so that its bracket extremities 54 straddle the heating rod terminals to be disposed beneath and enter with their projections 55 into suitable openings 56 formed in the drip pan 5|. This aifords securement to one end of the dri an while at its diametrically opposite position there is provided a slot 51 through which may be passed the hooked extremity 58 of a supporting bracket 59, also secured to the spider extremity, as best designated in Figs. 2 and 3. The hook 58 and supporting bracket extremities 55, while ample to afford support to the drip pan 5| as an inert member, may not prevent dislodgement when the unit is swung to and from its alternate positions featured in Figs. 3 and 5. Accordingly, there is provided a. pivoted catch 6| riveted as at 62 to the drip pan 5| and designed to present a latching shoulder 53 behind the bracket 58, so that the pan may not be slid laterally to provide clearance for the hooked extremity 58, except upon operation and withdrawal of the catch 6|.

Modifications In Figs. 8 and 9 there are illustrated alternative methods of providing overcentering humps from the springable hinge bracket [8. In Fig, 8 the embossment H is struck so as to protrude upwardly beyond the surface I instead of as in the preferred form where the embossment 24 is provided at its rear with a depression M. In order to prevent the hinge bracket l8 from being displaced sidewardly, the embossment H is flanked by a pair of higher protrusions 12. The pivotal elements l5 and I6 of the hinge bracket I8 after being sprung over the intermediate embossment H rest on a slight plateau section 13. In Fig. 9 the table top II is pierced as at 14 so that the hinge bracket l3 after being sprung over the rounded or fllleted portion 15 is received within the limited slot 14 and therein held against rotation as well as inadvertent displacement.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to a more or less specific embodiment, it is to be understood, nevertheless, that numerous modifications and variations lend themselves to be incorporated thereto without departing from the essential spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended to be limited to the particular details featured in V the accompanying illustrations nor to the term of the foregoing specification, except as indicated in the hereunto appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a kitchen range having a sheet metal table top in which are formed a plurality'of openings, perpendicularly struck skirting flanges defining said openings, a tangential portion in said table top adjacent said openings having a recessed depression of predetermined length, a p-ivotable supporting bracket for heating units housed in said openings comprising a hinge element having a hooked extremity for engaging said perpendicular flange of said openings in said table top, and a springable pivot portion spaced from said hook extremity so as to be sprung over an adjacent high surface of said table top before entering and nesting within said recessed depression of said tangential portion.

2. In a sheet metal table top for kitchen ranges in which are provided a plurality of openings, perpendicularly struck skirting flanges defining said openings, a portion of said table top near each opening having a tangential high surface and an adjacent seating recess, a hinge bracket comprising one hinge element having a hook extremity for engaging the flange of said openings in said table top, and a springable pivot extremity spaced from said hook extremity so as to be sprung over said high surface of said table top before entering and nesting within said seating recess.

3. In combination with a sheet metal table top having an opening defined by a downwardly extending internal skirting flange, a removable hinge bracket for supporting heating units comprising, a springable first hinge element of substantially right-angular formation having a hook at the extremity of one of its component arms to engage said skirting flange anywhere along its circumference and a pintle receiving hinge formation at the extremity of the other one of its component arms, a second hinge element pivoted on the pintle of said hinge formation and including a portion extending in overlying relationship to said first mentioned hinge element and a portion doubling back and secured at its extremity to a heating element support structure for affording pivotable displacement to said structure about its hinge pintle axis, and so as to afiord removability from said table top-through the springable characteristic of said first hinge element.

4. In combination with a sheet metal range top having a plurality of circular openings and a circular flange defining each opening and having surface recesses spaced from a tangency of each of said openings, an angular hinge member made of springable material having hook-engaging means to cooperate with said flange and hinge ears to be partially submerged in said recesses, a cooperating hinge member overlying said first mentioned hinge member and having secured at its extremity a supporting member for a heating unit for the purpose of affording pivotal displacement to said heating unit and for being springably removable by the unseating of said first mentioned hinge member from its recess.

5. In a kitchen range having a sheet metal range top with flanged openings for housing heat units and a surface recess adjacent each opening spaced from and tagent to said openings, a hinge member of right-angular formation made of springable material having hook-engaging means to cooperate with said flanged openings and binge ears adapted to fit into said recesses, a oooperating hinge member overlying said first mentioned hinge member and carrying a heat unit for the purpose of affording pivotal displacement to said heat unit about said hinge members common pivot and for being springably removable by the unseating of said first mentioned hinge member from said recess and flanged opening.

6. In a kitchen range, the combination including a table top having a plurality of heat unit openings, each defined by a skirting flange, a portion of said top near each opening having a surface recess tangent to its respective opening, a hinge member comprised of two cooperating pivotable arms similarly bent so that each consists of a right-angular member adjacently disposed to the other of said arms, the inner one of said arms being of springable material and having a hooked extremity for engaging the defining flange adjacent its recess and for presenting its pivot hinge portion within said recess after overpassing a high portion in said table top intervening the heat unit opening and its recess, a principal heat unit supporting frame secured to the outer one of said arms and including drip pan supporting projections, a drip pan for engaging said projection, and catch means associated with said drip pan to prevent inadvertent displacement during pivotal movement of said hinge member.

7. In combination with a sheet metal table top for kitchen ranges or the like in which are provided one or more circular openings, perpendicularly struck skirting flanges defining said openings, a portion of said table top tangential to said openings having an elevated embossment flanked by opposite side embossments, a hinge bracket comprising one hinge element having a hooked extremity for engaging the flange of said openings in said table top, and a springable pivot portion spaced from said hooked extremity and adapted to be sprung over said elevated embossment of said table top and to nestle between said opposite side embossments for retention and seating against inadvertent displacement,

. 8. In combination with a sheet metal table top REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,177 Sharp Sept. 8, 1942 864,088 Tarrington Aug. 20, 1907 1,567,870 Serrell Dec. 29, 1925 2,231,909 Hempel Feb. 18, 1941 2,303,147 Tinnerman Nov. 24, 1942 2,325,358 Andrews July 27, 1943 2,368,051 Tuttle Jan. 23, 1945 2,392,076 Wiegard Jan. 1, 1946 2,418,520 Morton Apr. 8, 1947 

